GOV. ALIYU INAUGURATES GOVERNING COUNCILS FOR EIGHT STATE-OWNED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO QUALITY EDUCATION
From Muhammad Gazali Garba
The Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, on Friday inaugurated the chairmen and members of the Governing Councils of the eight state-owned tertiary institutions, reaffirming his administration’s unwavering commitment to revitalising higher education and strengthening institutional governance to enhance academic excellence.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Council Chamber Government House, Sokoto, was attended by senior government officials, heads of tertiary institutions, members of the newly inaugurated Governing Councils, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders in the education sector.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Aliyu congratulated the newly appointed chairmen and members of the Governing Councils, describing their appointments as a recognition of their integrity, competence, wealth of experience, and commitment to the advancement of education in Sokoto State.
He said the inauguration marked another significant milestone in his administration’s determination to reposition tertiary education and ensure that the state’s institutions produce graduates who are academically sound, morally upright, professionally competent, and globally competitive.
The governor reiterated that education remains one of the cardinal priorities of his administration, stressing that no society can achieve meaningful and sustainable development without investing substantially in the education of its people.
According to him, this conviction has informed the decision of his administration to consistently allocate the largest share of the state’s annual budget to the education sector in order to expand access to quality education and provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Governor Aliyu recalled that upon assuming office, the state’s tertiary institutions faced numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of qualified academic staff, insufficient teaching and learning facilities, and other issues that hindered effective academic activities.
He explained that his administration had since embarked on comprehensive reforms aimed at revitalising the education sector through the renovation and rehabilitation of infrastructure, provision of modern teaching and learning facilities, support for the accreditation of academic programmes, recruitment of qualified lecturers and other essential personnel, and the removal of tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions to improve access to higher education.
The governor noted that the inauguration of the Governing Councils formed part of his administration’s broader efforts to strengthen institutional governance, promote transparency and accountability, and ensure efficient management of tertiary institutions.
He described the Governing Councils as strategic organs responsible for policy formulation, institutional development, financial oversight, and the overall administration of higher institutions.
Governor Aliyu urged the council members to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, integrity, transparency, fairness, and patriotism while working closely with the management of their respective institutions to promote excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and community service.
He further charged them to uphold the highest standards of discipline, prudent management of resources, and institutional integrity, while taking decisive steps to eliminate examination malpractice, corruption, and other unethical practices capable of undermining the quality of education.
The governor assured the management, staff, and students of the institutions of his administration’s continued support through the provision of a conducive environment for effective teaching, learning, research, and innovation.
He thereafter formally inaugurated the chairmen and members of the Governing Councils of the eight state-owned tertiary institutions and wished them a successful and rewarding tenure.
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated chairmen and members of the Governing Councils, the former Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Professor Aminu Salihu Maikailu, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Ahmed Aliyu for the confidence reposed in them, describing their appointment as a great honour and a call to selfless service.
Professor Maikailu assured the governor that the council members would justify the confidence placed in them by discharging their responsibilities with dedication, integrity, transparency, and accountability.
He said the governor’s address had clearly outlined the administration’s vision for the education sector and would serve as a guiding framework for the councils in carrying out their statutory responsibilities.
Professor Mikailu pledged that the councils would work closely with the management of their respective institutions to strengthen governance, ensure accountability, improve policy implementation, and promote academic excellence.
According to him, priority would be given to improving the quality of teaching, research, innovation, staff development, and prudent management of institutional resources to ensure that the state’s tertiary institutions remain centres of excellence capable of producing graduates who can compete globally and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Professor Maikailu further disclosed that the councils would immediately commence work by engaging with the management of their respective institutions, assessing their challenges, and providing practical solutions aimed at improving institutional performance.
He expressed confidence that, with the continued support of the state government and the cooperation of all stakeholders, the ongoing reforms in the education sector would achieve the desired results.
Professor Mikailu thanked Governor Aliyu for the opportunity to serve and prayed to Almighty Allah for the wisdom, strength, and guidance to enable the council members to discharge their responsibilities faithfully and successfully.
